Post Shave Routine 101

You know that not all shaves are created equal. It’s taken a lot of trial and error to find the perfect shave routine, but can you say the same for your post-shave?

Men who ignore their post-shave routine are doing themselves a huge disservice. Rushing it or using the wrong products could be leaving you vulnerable to irritation, acne, or even infection.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to complicated. But it does need to be consistent.

Here are the three steps you need to include in your post-shave routine.

Splash & Inspect

How good of a shave was it? Splash your face with cold water and run your hands across your face to see if you missed any spots, or if there are any areas that you need to improve upon. It’s good to know when you’ve had an awesome shave, and when you could’ve done better.

Washing your face with cold water will tighten up the blood vessels in your face which minimizes pores, making your skin look smoother. It also reduces irritation of any hot spots on your face while giving you a nice jolt of energy in the morning.

Take note of how your hair grows back throughout the day and if there is any lingering irritation. If there is, you’re either making too many passes with your razor, or you need to replace your blades. The goal is always to get it done in as few strokes as possible, but don’t compromise the closeness of your shave.

Splash and inspect your face everyday, or everytime you shave. You’ll become better at shaving and be able to diagnose problems much quicker.

Styptic pencils are perfect for spot treating minor cuts – they’re made to stop bleeding instantly by clotting the blood. Styptic pencils are made from a strong version of astringent, so you’ll feel a minor stinging sensation when you dab it on your cuts. This is natural – it just means that it’s working. It’s also a friendly reminder to stop cutting your face up.

In true guy fashion, we usually nick the same spots on our face. Usually it’s because we’re just rushing and slip, but it could be your hair randomly changing pattern. Whatever it is, take some time to figure out the problem. But until you do figure it out, keep a styptic pencil on deck. Very necessary.

The Moisturizer

C’mon now. It’s 2016. Having rough skin does not make you cool or manly, and using products on your face does not make you soft. Do yourself a favor and use a quality moisturizer as the last step of your post-shave routine to keep that skin looking good.

Look for a moisturizer that substitutes alcohol with natural ingredients. Alcohol tends to dry out skin but vitamins and essential oils will help your skin stay hydrated and healthy. Less damage, more benefits.